St. Louis Cardinals remove cross from pitcher’s mound

ST. LOUIS (RNS) The Cardinals' general manager, John Mozeliak, said he learned of the images from media reports and immediately asked the grounds crew to halt the practice. "I didn’t ask for the reason behind it. I just asked for it to stop.”

David Thompson

Leo

We already have enough of the “star & crescent” effects in this and most European countries. This is mainly a Judeo-Christian country primarily, and NO Islamic country would allow any other, including non-Christian, symbols. Why? But, of course, we supposed to allow them to do as they chose and bring sharia with it.

Diego

Kind of buried the lead there. Was it in memory of Musial? Because for an individual, unlike a war memorial, the symbol only need match that person’s faith. Complaining about something so small invading the public sphere seems a touch reactionary-like. Vines sounds like Ned Flanders in the Simpsons episode were he’s reviewing tapes for FCC violations.

wsax

As a Christian, I applaud the Cardinals’ decision to discontinue the practice of holding up one faith through an etching on the field. There are frequent displays of faith by individual players during the course of play (usually after a home run or hit in a do-or -ie situation) and this allows free expression. But a cross etched into the mound in a multi-faith world is inappropriate, as would be the symbol of one political party. Baseball is not about holding up any particular ideology, but about the beauty and elegance of human capability, team work and the desire to win, sometimes against the odds.

Non-HatefulAtheist

I’m an atheist and I love the Cards, and I see nothing wrong with the cross if the players wanted it there. Separation of church and state doesn’t mean that no religious symbols can ever be displayed anywhere; it only means the government can’t promote one religion over another (i.e., crosses in courtrooms or gov’t buildings). If the players had no problem with the cross being there, neither did I.
Even though I’m not a believer, I respect rights of others to have and express their own beliefs as long as it’s not harming anyone. Most athletes thank god or Jesus after a win, but if people like Michael Vine get their way, that’ll be outlawed too.
This is ridiculous. I respect the ballpark managers decision, but overall I think the whole original complaint was just ridiculous and mean-spirited.

Michael Vine is NOT a baseball fan, he’s just a guy with too much time on his hands who hates religion and goes looking for a way to disrespect it in any setting where he can find it, however small and insignificant. I find it immensely sad that he can’t find a more productive use for his time.

Robert

I just believe there are somethings you don’t do , disrespecting family members is one , making fun of the less fortunate is another , but removing a well known religious symbol , I don’t think that is to smart.